Royston MP Oliver Heald and county councillor Tony Hunter at Letchworth gate

WORK on a crash hotspot is set to begin next month, the Highways Agency has confirmed.

The southbound A1(M) entry road at the Letchworth Gate junction roundabout has been closed since December causing major delays in and around the area.

But the Highways Agency has confirmed work will start on March 11.

Royston MP Oliver Heald and county councillor Tony Hunter have been pressing for action after being contacted by a number of Royston residents who use the road on a daily basis.

Mr Heald, who has met with roads minister Stephen Hammond about the issue, said: “The closure of the southbound slip road is causing completely unacceptable and intolerable delays and congestion for my constituents across North Hertfordshire.

“Apparently the safety barrier is in need of work and this must be done quickly to improve the current position which is causing such gross inconvenience.”

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “Road workers have been on site in preparation for the start of the improvement work due to start on March 11, weather permitting. The work will include changes to signing, surfacing and road markings to encourage drivers to slow down. Planned completion date is April 2013.”